Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine first butter and granulated sugar together in the bowl of a mixer with paddle attachment. Cream together until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, scraping down bowl in between egg additions. Add the zest and chai spice mix and thoroughly mix.
Alternate adding the flour and the milk. Ensure mixture is completely combined by scraping the bottom and sides of mixing bowl between flour/milk additions.
Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
Add muffin cups to muffin pan and lightly spray.
Add chai cupcake mixture to prepared muffin pan, filling 1/8" from top of muffin pan.
Bake for 45-60 minutes or until light brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
While cupcakes are baking, make cream frosting by combining all ingredients in the bowl of a standing mixer with paddle attachment.
Add cream frosting mixture to a piping bag with a star tip. Once cupcakes are cool, pipe a ring about 1/2 inch from outside edge of cupcake with a star piped on top. Dust with a bit of chai & orange spice mix and finish with reserved orange zest curls.
If you are hosting a more formal event, you can add a lace wrapper, like the picture below. I have also linked the wrappers in the introduction of this recipe. They really will elevate the elegance of your presentation!
Cupcakes adapted from: cupcakeproject.com